Zamioculcas plant named ‘EDZAM1902’

ABSTRACT

‘EDZAM1902’ is a new and distinctive Zamioculcas plant which is characterized by a small plant size, very upright growth habit, an abundance of leaves with each leaf having an abundance of dark green and glossy leaflets born on yellow-green petioles. The new plant propagates successfully by leaf cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Zamioculcas zamiifolia (hort. Lodd.) Engl.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Zamioculcas disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘EDZAM1902’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘EDZAM1902’ is a seedling selection resulting from the controlled pollination of a Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘I’, the seed parent, with Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘E’, the pollen parent, at a commercial nursery in Maasdijk, The Netherlands, in the summer of 2017. Both parents were developed and are owned by the inventor and were never released or patented. In the summer of 2017, one plant was observed to exhibit unique growth characteristics and was isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of distinctness and stability, ‘EDZAM1902’ was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘EDZAM1902’ was first accomplished in 2017 by way of stem cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. Four successive generations produced from stem cuttings have shown that the unique features of the instant cultivar are stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EDZAM1902’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Zamioculcas plant, ‘EDZAM1902’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘EDZAM1902’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1902’ exhibits a relatively small plant         size; and     -   2. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1902’ exhibits an abundance of foliage,         each with of an abundance of relatively large leaflets; and     -   3. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1902’ exhibits dark green and glossy         leaflets borne on yellow-green petioles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage and growth characteristics of the new cultivar, ‘EDZAM1902’. The plant shown is approximately 12 months old, potted into a 15 cm nursery pot, grown at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of the plant in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical petiole of the plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Zamioculcas zamiifolia known as ‘EDZAM1902’, based upon observations of 12-month-old plants, potted into 15 cm nursery pots and grown indoors at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. Plants were grown in full sun using accepted fertility and irrigation practices for Zamioculcas plants including overhead irrigation, fertilizer applications as needed, and supplemental Calcium treatments. With the exception of preventative fungicides, no chemical pest control measures were employed. Furthermore, no artificial light or photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Observation data was recorded in March of 2021.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘EDZAM1902’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such measurements are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, sixth edition, 2015.

A botanical description of ‘EDZAM1902’ and comparisons with the parent plants and the most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Tropical evergreen perennial.         -   Plant profile shape.—Vase-shaped to oblong.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Height.—44.8 cm to the top of the foliar plane.         -   Width.—38.8 cm.         -   Propagation.—Type — Leaf cuttings. Time to initiate rooting             — Approximately 30 days at an approximate temperature of 25             degrees Celsius. Crop time — Approximately 1 year to produce             a marketable plant in a 12 cm container.         -   Pathogen and pest resistance and susceptibility.—Plants have             not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to             pathogens and pests common to Zamioculcas sp.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 10             to 12 and temperatures ranging from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius;             moderate tolerance to rain; low tolerance to wind. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—No stems or branches; compound leaves in             small clumps, arising directly from tuberous rhizomes.         -   Number of clumps per plant.—5, on average.         -   Number of additional clumps formed each year.—5, on average. -   Root system:     -   -   Type.—Tuberous rhizomes bearing thick fleshy roots.         -   Shape of rhizomes.—Irregular broad oblong to ovoid.         -   Dimensions of rhizomes.—6.0 cm long and 3.4 cm in diameter.         -   Density of rhizomes and roots.—Moderately dense.         -   Distribution of rhizomes and roots.—Rhizomes shallow; roots             distributed evenly throughout the soil profile, from shallow             to deep.         -   Texture of rhizomes and roots.—Glabrous and very fleshy.         -   Color of rhizomes and roots.—Greyed-green, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 195A, 195B, and 195C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Compound leaves in small clumps, arising             directly from tuberous rhizomes.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Pinnately compound.         -   Leaf profile shape.—Broad ovate.         -   Dimensions.—38.5 cm long and 11.6 cm wide.         -   Attitude.—Upright; approximately 20 degrees from vertical.         -   Quantity.—An average of 6 leaves per clump.         -   Stipules.—General — A leafy stipule is present at the base             of each pinnately compound leaf. Shape — Narrow oblong to             lanceolate. Length — 11.3 cm. Width — 4.0 cm. Apex —             Mucronulate. Base — Broad cuneate. Margin — Entire,             moderately undulated. Texture — Papery. Color, adaxial and             abaxial surfaces — Translucent greyed-brown, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 199B and 199C.         -   Petiole.—Aspect — Elliptic; thickened at the base. Length —             9.0 cm; 31.4 cm, including all rachises. Diameter — 2.2 cm             at the base; 2.0 cm below the first leaflet. Strength —             Strong. Texture — Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Matte.             Color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest             to in between RHS 147B and 148A, and fading lighter towards             the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 146A and 147D.         -   Rachis.—Aspect — Rounded; tapering slightly from the             proximal end to the apex. Length — 22.4 cm. Diameter — 0.65             cm at the widest point and 0.60 cm at the narrowest.             Strength — Strong. Texture — Smooth and glabrous. Luster —             Matte. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS             148B; very slightly blotched with greyed-green, nearest to             RHS 197A. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 148B.         -   Leaflets.—Quantity — An average of 11 leaflets per leaf;             ranging from 9 to 15 leaflets. Attitude — At an angle of             approximately 45 degrees to the rachis. Dimensions— 10.7 cm             long and 3.7 cm wide. Shape — Elliptic to narrow oblong.             Aspect — Slightly carinate and lightly curled inward. Apex —             Acute, with a short mucronulate tip. Base — Rounded. Margin             — Entire; no undulation to very slightly, coarse undulation.             Texture, adaxial surface — Glabrous and moderately             coriaceous. Texture, abaxial surface — Glabrous and             moderately coriaceous. Luster, adaxial surface — Glossy.             Luster, abaxial surface — Glossy. Color — Juvenile foliage             color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.             Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to in between RHS 144A and 144B. Mature leaf color,             adaxial surface — Nearest to in between green and             yellow-green, RHS NN137A and 147A yet more intense. Mature             leaf color, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 143A yet             slightly darker and more intense. Venation — Pattern —             Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS             143A. Vein color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 145A. Petiolule — Aspect — Flattened oval. Length —             0.5 cm. Diameter — Petiolule flattened; average width is 0.3             cm and the average height is 0.25 cm. Strength — Strong.             Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth and glabrous.             Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Matte. Color, adaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. Color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. -   Inflorescence: No flowering has been observed to date. -   Comparison with the parent plants: Plants of the new cultivar     ‘EDZAM1902’ may be distinguished from its seed parent, Zamioculcas     zamiifolia ‘E’, by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1902’ and The Seed Parent Characteristic ‘EDZAM1902’ The Seed Parent Abundance of foliage. Less abundant. More abundant. Leaflet apex. More rounded. More acute. General coloration of the Lighter shade of green Darker shade of foliage. compared to the parent. green compared to ‘EDZAM1902’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘EDZAM1902’ may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘U’, by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1902’ and The Pollen Parent Characteristic ‘EDZAM1902’ The Pollen Parent Abundance of foliage. More abundant. Less abundant. Leaflet apex. More acute. More rounded. General coloration of the Darker shade of green Lighter shade of foliage. compared to the parent. green compared to ‘EDZAM1902’.

-   Comparisons with the most similar variety of common knowledge:     Plants of the new cultivar ‘EDZAM1902’ are most similar to the     commercial variety, Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1702’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     33,429). A comparison of ‘EDZAM1902’ with ‘EDZAM1702’ is described     in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1902’ and ‘EDZAM1702’ Characteristic ‘EDZAM1902’ ‘EDZAM1702’ Plant size. Smaller than Larger than ‘EDZAM1702’. ‘EDZAM1902’. Leaflet Longer and narrower than Shorter and broader than dimensions. ‘EDZAM1702’. ‘EDZAM1902’. General A darker shade of yellow- A lighter shade of yellow- coloration of green, relative to green, relative to the petiole. ‘EDZAM1702’. ‘EDZAM1902’. General Darker shade of green Lighter shade of green coloration of compared to compared to the foliage. ‘EDZAM1702’. ‘EDZAM1902’. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Zamioculcas plant named ‘EDZAM1902’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 